What area of the city should I set my book in? (Chicago: neighborhood, live in)

[Eisen]

I'm doing research for a book I'm writing (it's set in Chicago), and I was wondering what part of the city would fit best with what I'm trying to do.

Can anyone tell me what area/neighborhood would work best for this? I'm looking for somewhere that is kind of a 'rough neighborhood', the kind of place where it's not unusual for teen-aged (and younger) kids to be running wild. Wandering the streets in the middle of the night/stealing stuff/drinking/smoking, stuff like that. If someone could give me a specific area, that would be awesome, or even just a part of the city (West side, South side, etc.). Also, can anyone give me any real locations (teenager's hang-outs, grocery stores, gas stations, all of that kind of stuff) in said area?

I would check all this stuff out for myself, but I'm not from anywhere even *close* to Chicago and there's no way I could actually go there. Any help with this would be much appreciated.

[Paxtonian]

Oh, I think Kenilworth would make for a very interesting place to set your book.

[Attrill]

Just 2 pieces of advice:

1- If you have a good narrative it doesn't matter where you set it.
2 - If you don't know a place well (and a place that millions of people have/do live in to boot) don't try to fake that you know what it is like.

Good luck with your book.

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by Eisen

I'm doing research for a book I'm writing (it's set in Chicago), and I was wondering what part of the city would fit best with what I'm trying to do.

Can anyone tell me what area/neighborhood would work best for this? I'm looking for somewhere that is kind of a 'rough neighborhood', the kind of place where it's not unusual for teen-aged (and younger) kids to be running wild. Wandering the streets in the middle of the night/stealing stuff/drinking/smoking, stuff like that. If someone could give me a specific area, that would be awesome, or even just a part of the city (West side, South side, etc.). Also, can anyone give me any real locations (teenager's hang-outs, grocery stores, gas stations, all of that kind of stuff) in said area?

I would check all this stuff out for myself, but I'm not from anywhere even *close* to Chicago and there's no way I could actually go there. Any help with this would be much appreciated.

Minnesota's not that far from Chicago. It's probably worth the trip.

[miserylovesco.]

Canaryville, on the southside.

[Ron.]

Englewood (South)

Originally Posted by Eisen

I'm doing research for a book I'm writing (it's set in Chicago), and I was wondering what part of the city would fit best with what I'm trying to do.

Can anyone tell me what area/neighborhood would work best for this? I'm looking for somewhere that is kind of a 'rough neighborhood', the kind of place where it's not unusual for teen-aged (and younger) kids to be running wild. Wandering the streets in the middle of the night/stealing stuff/drinking/smoking, stuff like that. If someone could give me a specific area, that would be awesome, or even just a part of the city (West side, South side, etc.). Also, can anyone give me any real locations (teenager's hang-outs, grocery stores, gas stations, all of that kind of stuff) in said area?

I would check all this stuff out for myself, but I'm not from anywhere even *close* to Chicago and there's no way I could actually go there. Any help with this would be much appreciated.

[analyticalkeys]

Please don't write a book about areas you don't know personally. There's no way you'd be able to capture the sense of style of that area. Write about someplace you know, or someplace that doesn't actually exist.

[JanuaryGirl]

If it's worth all the time to write a novel, it's worth it to visit the place. Don't be so presumptuous to think you can capture the essence of an area without visiting.

"Bite less, chew more."

Better to pick a less interesting place that is close and really explore its nuances.

[NYrules]

Originally Posted by Paxtonian

Oh, I think Kenilworth would make for a very interesting place to set your book.

LMFAO!!! I could see it now. A book about a bunch of Paris Hiltons and Paris Hilton versioned dudes too to boot. lol I think I'd rather take the gang bangers in Englewood over the prissy little brats in Kenilworth to be honest.